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Clinical negligence: claimant

Olive Lewin

Olive Lewin

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Leigh Day

Leigh Day’s clinical negligence team, led by Suzanne White, is well-known for its work on high-value and complex injury claims, particularly in cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and maternal death cases. The department remains active in litigation linked to systemic healthcare failings, inquests, and matters requiring cross-jurisdictional analysis. A number of individuals hold additional expertise in niche areas, such as military clinical negligence, cauda equina, mesh surgery, and fatal accidents. Olive Lewin draws on her background in nursing to lead high-value brain and spinal injury cases, with additional expertise in maternal death and delayed cancer diagnosis claims, and Despina Kavadas handles complex birth injuries and delayed diagnoses matters. Emmalene Bushnell is noted for cases involving Group B Strep and gynaecological harm. Maria Panteli frequently handles delayed diagnoses and maternal injury cases, and also has experience in rare cancer claims. Sanja Strkljevic is active in obstetric trauma and fatal accident litigation, often with inquest elements. Kirsten Wall brings a strong focus on delayed cancer diagnoses and military-related negligence. The team is supported by a large cohort of senior associates and maintains a broad caseload, often involving inquests, advocacy-driven issues, and international or multi-party proceedings.
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Phone
020 7650 1200
Email
[email protected]
Profile
leighday.co.uk

Profile

Work Department

Clinical negligence.

Position

Olive has been considered one of the leading lawyers in the field of clinical negligence for many years. She is a former registered nurse who acts on behalf of claimants in a wide variety of complex cases. ​  ​She has recovered multi-million pound settlements for clients who have suffered brain damage; cerebral palsy; spinal cord injury, and neurological injury as a result of lithium and gentamicin toxicity. Olive has also recovered substantial damages for clients who have suffered endocarditis, and clients who have suffered 3rd and 4th degree tears.   ​ Olive was the solicitor instructed for the claimant in Hassell v Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust on the issue of informed consent and recovered in excess of £4.4 million for her client.

In the past year Olive has settled a multi million claim for a client with paraplegia; a multi million pound claim on behalf of a client with cerebral palsy; settled liability and obtained judgement in a multi million pound claim for a client with severe cerebral palsy; settled a multi million pound claim for a client with tetraplegia; settled a claim for a six figure sum for a client with cauda equina.

Career

Olive joined Leigh Day in 1991, becoming a partner in 1998.

Memberships

Olive has advised the British Cardiology Society on Human Rights for the 5th UK Cardiology Review. She is a member of Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). Olive is also on the panels of the Spinal Injuries Association, and the Cauda Equina Champions. She is also an Expert panel member on the Birthrights Enquiry on “Racial Injustice in Maternity Care. ”

Education

Economics degree; CPE; and the Law Society finals course.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Very professional and caring. Take their job very seriously and take pride in what they do.'

  • 'Extremely sympathetic and the perseverance and patience they have is incredible. It is about fighting for those who can't fight back and Leigh Day solicitors fought for me more than 7 years. Need I say more.’

  • ‘Leigh Day is a truly dedicated Claimant clinical negligence firm with outstanding levels of expertise in this field, as well as others such as human rights.’

  • ‘Suzanne White is a first-class leader of the team - totally committed to her clients and hugely experienced and full of commonsense.'

  • 'Angharad Vaughan should be mentioned - an exceptionally clever, experienced, and hardworking litigator with very good judgement. Sanja Strkljevic is a wonderful lawyer too.’

  • ‘Leigh Day has some of the brightest and most experienced clinical negligence solicitors in the market. The partners are highly involved in the cases, and they are extremely good at working collaboratively.’

  • 'Kirsten Wall handles some of the most complex cases; she is calm, unflappable, and immensely competent. She is extremely organised and is entirely across each and every one of her cases. She has rare and valuable trial experience.’

  • ‘The strength in depth of this team is extraordinary and the team's commitment and quality shines through.'

  • 'I cannot recommend Leigh Day and especially Emmalene Bushnell, highly enough. From start to finish, their dedication, professionalism, and genuine care were second to none. They gave countless hours of their time, ensuring every detail was handled with precision and expertise. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and their willingness to go above and beyond made all the difference. If you’re looking for a solicitor who is not only superb at their craft but also genuinely invested in their clients, look no further. Leigh Day is a shining example of what outstanding legal service.''Outstanding levels of expertise in this field.'

Work highlights

Acted in an inquest into the death of 36-year-old, LJS, mother of 5, who died from an intraperitoneal bleeding following the delivery of her 5th child.
Representing a client who had suffered injury because of a negligently delayed diagnosis of laryngeal cancer, resulting in more extensive treatment for the cancer than would otherwise have been required and, in particular, leading to total laryngectomy.
Represented a client in obtaining an admission of liability in a child brain injury claim following negligent surgery.